MOLINE, Ill. — Moline Police confirmed one of its officers was involved in a fatal accident after a squad car hit a 13 year old boy on a bike south of the 1100 block of Moline's 34th Street at 2:55 p.m. Tuesday.
One day after the collision, the teen was identified as Charles W. Hubbard, a former student of Wilson Middle School in Moline.
Illinois State Police are investigating the incident.
“The City of Moline mourns the loss of life in a tragic event that occurred this afternoon," Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati said in a statement.
Police say at about 2:52 p.m. a beat officer was dispatched to a disturbance near 41st Street and 12th Avenue in Moline.
The officer was driving southbound when the collision with the bicycle occurred.
"The child was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased," Moline Police said in a written statement.
Police said the squad car has an Axon incar video system.
"Our deepest sympathies are conveyed to the family during this difficult time," said Moline Police Chief Darren Gault.
"Words cannot describe this situation."
Moline Police say the officer driving the squad car has been placed on Administrative Leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Police said that's normal procedure to remove an officer from duty while an examination of the incident is conducted.
"The officer is also understandably distraught over the incident," Chief Gault said in the police department statement.
"For now we need to let the investigation into this event take its course," said Mayor Rayapati.
The Illinois State Police will conduct the independent investigation of the traffic crash.
Moline Police say State Police will provide a complete report to the State’s Attorney when the investigation is complete.
The Moline Police Department also said it will ensure the cooperation in transferring in-car video, body camera video, squad car data, interviews and any other items needed from the department to the Illinois State Police.
COMPLETE STATEMENT FROM CHIEF GAULT
On May 4, 2021, a Moline Police Department officer was involved in a traffic crash that resulted in the death of a bicyclist.
At approximately 2:52pm a beat officer was dispatched to a disturbance near 41st Street and 12th Avenue. The officer was travelling southbound in the 1100 block of 34th Street. A traffic crash occurred just south of 11th Avenue where the squad car struck a 13-year-old male on a bicycle. The crash occurred at approximately 2:55pm.
The child was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
The Moline Police Department immediately requested the Illinois State Police to respond to the scene. Illinois State Police District 7 troopers arrived at 3:08pm and assumed control of the crash scene and the Moline Police squad car. This squad car is equipped with an Axon incar video system. The Illinois State Police requested their certified crash reconstruction specialists from the Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit as well as investigators from the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation in Zone 2.
The Illinois State Police will conduct the independent investigation of the traffic crash. They will provide a complete report to the State’s Attorney when the investigation is complete.
The Moline Police Department will ensure the cooperation in transferring in-car video, body camera video, squad car data, interviews and any other items needed from our department to the Illinois State Police.
Any questions on the traffic crash investigation should be directed to ISP.Zone02.Media@Illinois.gov.
The Moline Police Department will conduct a separate Internal Affairs investigation to review policies, procedures and actions of the department personnel. An internal investigation is an employment law related investigation. These investigations are conducted separately and have different purposes and outcomes.
The officer driving the squad car has been placed on Administrative Leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Placing an officer on leave is normal procedure to remove an officer from duty while an examination of the incident is conducted. The officer is also understandably distraught over the incident.
This is an is extraordinarily tragic and difficult loss of life. Our deepest sympathies are conveyed to the family during this difficult time. Words cannot describe this situation.
We ask that the public keep everyone involved in their thoughts and prayers.
- Darren Gault, Chief of Police Moline Police Department
COMPLETE STATEMENT FROM MAYOR RAYAPATI
“The City of Moline mourns the loss of life in a tragic event that occurred this afternoon.
As Mayor of Moline my thoughts are with everyone involved in this situation.
Unexpected tragedies do occur. May we hug our loved ones tighter this evening as we are reminded of the unpredictability this world often hands us.
Our community will get through this difficult time together.
For now we need to let the investigation into this event take its course.
The City of Moline Police Chief Gault will work with the Illinois State Police to ensure full cooperation into the investigation.”
- Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati, Moline, Illinois
ORIGINAL STORY
Moline police have blocked off an area at the corner of 34th Street and 12th Avenue after an incident before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4.
The incident took place sometime before 3 p.m. in the 1100 block of 34th Street, and police arrived quickly to block off the area.
Illinois State Police, the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department, and an ambulance were also spotted at the scene.
Police are not allowing motorists to travel down the area of 34th Street between 11th and 12th Avenues.
No information about the incident has been made available. Moline PD says a press release will be released in the near future.